Daniel Slattery underwent a five hour procedure that was set in motion in 2014, when his cousin, John Aitken, of Annan, died aged just 32.
The 25-year-old said: “I joined the Anthony Nolan Trust after losing my cousin to Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, hoping to help someone in the same position that we, as a family, were in.
“The Anthony Nolan Trust contacted me on November 5 and explained that I was a match for someone. I was actually on my way to the Celtic game when I got the call.”
Daniel, who was devastated when he was not a match to help save his older cousin, donated nearly eight million stem cells — twice the number needed.
He said: “On the run up to the collection a nurse came to my flat every morning at 8 am to give me an injection that increased my bone marrow.
“These injections allowed the bone marrow to get into my blood stream and on the day of my donation they drew the blood out, took what they needed, and put the remaining blood back into my right arm.”
A patient waited 72 hours before a match was found in Daniel — who then travelled to London for the procedure.
Daniel said: “I don’t know anything about the patient but if after two years they would like to get in touch then they can.
“I can only hope that the rest of the patient’s treatment goes well enough to see them live, as I know firsthand the pain of losing someone very close.”
Daniel, who has received support and respect from numerous friends and family members, has urged others to follow in his footsteps.
“I can’t emphasise enough how easy it was and how comfortable the Anthony Nolan Trust made everything for me,” he added.
For more information about stem cell donation, including how to become a donor, visit www.anthonynolan.org
IN LOVING MEMORY . . . John Aitken, who died in 2014, aged just 32, holds younger cousin Daniel
